Toothbrush and dentifrice pack



Nov. 2 7, 195] J. F. WATERS 2,576,551

TooTHBRUsH AND DENTIFRICE PACK Filed July 24, 194e 2 SHEETS- SHEET 1 34.' 36 INVENTOR.

JAMES F. WATERS RNEY N0V- 27, 1951 J. F. WATERS TOOTHBRUSH AND DENTIFRICE PACK 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed July 24, 1948 1IlIllllllllillllllllll/llll'11111111111111111111' FIGJO.

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Patented Nov. 27, 1951 UNITED STATES, PATENT OFFICE TOOTHBRUSH AND DENTIFRICE PACK James Francis Waters, New York, N. Y. Application July 24, 1,948, Serial No. 40,573

- 9 Claims. l

This invention relates to devices for dispensing dentifrice. Among the objects of the invention is to provide a package and a dentifrice-dispensing device which are so associated as to conserve the contents of the dispensing device and yet provide-for ready` accessibility to the dentifrice for application to a tooth brush. The invention comprises a receptacle which is adapted for convenience in housing a dentifrice-containing device and a tooth brush for the use of travellers as Well as for home use. The receptacle provides a chamber for receiving and storing the dentifrice-dispensing device, a chamber throughV and serves to preserve the dentifrice in a fresh condition.

The dentifrice-dispensing device is in the form of an elongated box with a moveable wall which is perforated so that dentifrice passing through lthe holes in the wall becomes available to a brush for dental use. As the dentifrice is consumed byy repeated usage, the moveable Wall is sustained byA the dentifrice remaining within the box. It is a purpose of the invention to provide a package or receptacle which is constructed and arranged so that it can be replenished with filled dentifricedispensing devices when the dentifrice in an original device is consumed.

- Referring to the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 illustrates a package or receptacle, a. dentifrice-dispensing device and a moveable wall or cover for preserving the dentifrice, and a collapsible tooth brush;

Fig. 2 is a bottom view of the receptacle;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section through the receptacle;

Fig. 4 is a view of the open end of the receptacle on line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 illustrates a manner by which the dentifrice may be applied to a tooth brush;

Fig. 6 is a plan View, partly in section, of the dispensing device;

Fig '7 is a bottom view of the dispensing device;

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section of a modified form of dispensing device;

Fig. 9 is a view of the dispensing device illustrated in Fig. 8, as wrapped in a protective covering;

Fig. l0 is a sectional view of, a modified form of a receptacle; ff

Fig. 11 is a side view of a tooth brush with a collapsible handle;

Fig. 12 is a back view of the brush;

Fig. 13 isa section on line I3-I3 of Fig. 12,

and

Fig. 14 is a detail showing the joint of the brush handle in coupled relationship. Y.

The package of the present invention includes a receptacle in the form of a casing I 0 which, together with a removeable cover II, forms a convenient carrier for always maintaining the dental hygiene devices assembled for ready use. The casing, as well as the other dental aids, including the dentifrice-dispensing device I2 and all of its component parts and the removeable Wall or closure I3, which serves to prevent the drying out of the dentifrice, are preferably made from a synthetic organic plastic, but may be formed of metal or other suitable materials.

The interior of the casing is divided into a plurality of chambers, of which chamber I4 is for containing the dentifrice-dispensing device I2, the chamber I5 is for accommodating a tooth brush when access vto the dentifrice contained in the dentifrice-dispensing device is desired, and a chamber I 6 is for storing or containing one or more tooth brushes. These chambers are all open at one end of the casing I0 and are closeable by the single cover I I.

The chamber I4 is of suflicient proportions to accommodate the dentifrice-dispensing device I2 and the removeable wall I3. It includes a lower wall I'I which separates the dentifrice-dispensing device I2 from the chamber I 6. The upper limit of chamber I4 is determined by a pair of flanges I9 and 20 projecting inwardly of the side walls of the casing I0 andthe removeable wall I3.

The portions of the walls of the casing I0 which enclose the chamber I6 are provided with holes 2|, 22, 23, 24, 25, etc. in the bottom Wall 26 of the casing and with holes 21, 28, 29, etc. in both of the side walls of the casing in order to provide ventilation for the tooth brush, Figs. 1 and 2.

The container of the dentifrice-dispensing device I2 is in the form of an open ended container or box 30, rectangular in section, and having such length as to be accommodated within the chamber I4 of the casing I0. It includes a bottom wall 3|, an end Wall 32, and parallel side walls 33 and 34, as illustrated in Figs. 3-7. The bottom wall 3I is provided With a, lling opening 34' into which the neck of a tooth paste tube may be inserted for replenishing the dentifrice 35. A cover 36V is supported by a pin 31, about which the cover may be swiveled forfclosing and opening the opening 34.

The upper wall of the box comprises a flange 38 which projects interiorly from the side and end Walls of the box, and a moveable Wall or plate 39 which has a plurality of perforations 40, 4I, 42, etc. through which the dentifrice paste is exuded when the wall is subjected to pressure. The perforations in the moveable wall are in suflicient number to aggregate 'a relatively large open area While at the same time leaving sucient solid Wall to restrain the free flow of dentifrice from the box, Figs. 3, 5, 6. Each of the openings 40, 4I, etc. is of suiicient size to provide enough 4 through the opening 49 in the wall of the casing to lock the box in place within the casing I0.

The casing may be made in any length desired, either to accommodate a tooth brush of standard size, or ai tooth brush which has a collapsible handle. The tooth brush illustrated in the drawings includes a brush portion having a shank 53 and a handle portion 54 which are adapted to be connected by a joint member 55. The joint memberis prqyided at its ends with studs 56 and 51 which aref adapted snugly to engage within the socket 58 of the shank 53 and within the socket 59 of the handle 54, respectively, as illustrated .y .in Figs. 12 and14. The joint member is provided dentifrice for an individual application of paste when a brush is passed over the same a few times.

In order that the dentifrice may be used equally I e thereforevmaintained perpendicular to the side il walls.

The open end of the box 39 is normally closed by a sliding gateV whose upper and lower edges fit in grooves 46 and 41 of the box, Fig. 3. This gate retains the perforated partition 39 within the box; The slide extends from one sidel of the box as shownat 43, Fig. 6.

In order to insert the box into chamber i4 it is first necessary tovremove the gate145. The surface of the-wall of the casing I0 has an undercut 48 to enable fingernail engagement with a slot in the end 48 of the gate 45 so that the gate may be withdrawn. Aftertlie box has been inserted in chamber I4, the gate 45 is inserted -through an opening 49 in the side wall of the casing I0 and is engaged in the upper and lower grooves 46 and 41 of the-box. The engagement of the slide with the opening in the wall of the casing locks the box within the casing.

When the box 30 is in place within the Casin I0, access to the dentifrice may be had through chamber I5, but when the device is not in use, it is desirable to prevent access of air to the dentifrice, in order to prevent evaporation. This is accomplished by the use of the removeable wall or partition I3, which is slid into place between the under surfaces of flanges i9 and 29 and the flange 38 of the box, as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. lThe partition I3 is provided with a finger piece 49 by which it may be manipulated.

f The box of the dentifrice-dispensing device illustrated vin Figs. 8 and 9 is similar to the one vpreviously described, except that the lower er bottom wall 5I is not provided with an opening for receiving a tooth paste tube. This box is suitable for sale as a supplemental unit for replacement of the dispensing device originally forming a part of the package. The box is provided with a covering of an air-tight film 52, such as cellophane, which is suitable for containing the paste and preventing its evaporation. As thus wrapped this unit does not require a slidable gate at the open end of the box. When the unit is to -be used it is necessary only to remove the wrapping, insert the box in chamber I4 and then slide the gate 45 `with slots 60 and 6I through which pins 62 and 3 extend. Pin 62 is carried by the shank 53 and pin 63 is carried by the handle 54.

' For extending the handle in line with the shank, the shank, the joint member and handle are disposed in axial alignment as shown in Fig. 13 and then frictionally engaged by forcing the members together as illustrated in Fig.A 1 4.' As vthus constituted the handle is rigid arid a tooth brush of standard length is had.v y

The case illustrated in Fig. 10. is similar to the casing 'previously described except for the Vabsence of a dividing wall between the dentifricecontaining chamber 64 and the tooth brush chamber 65. Intermediate these two chambers vis ja pair of rails 66, 61, which serve to support the removeable box 50 in which theV vdentifrice/is contained.

W hat is claimed is 2v 1. A dentifrice-dispensing device comprising a container for dentifrice and having an elongated opening at one` face thereof, a moveable .plate within said container, said plate closing said opening and containing a pluralityvof holes for the passage of dentifrice therethrough, a casing having an opening for the insertion of said `container into said casing; means within said casing for locating said container within a portion ofv said casing, a closure for said container, said .closure being adapted for covering the elongated opening in said container and for removal from said casing to permit access to the holes in said moveable plate.

2. A dentifrice-dispensing device comprising a container for dentifrice and having an elongated opening at one face thereof,v a moveableplate within said container, said plate closing said opening and containing a plurality of holesior the passage of dentifrice therethrough, a casing having an opening for the insertion of said container into said casing; a chamber within said casing for receiving said container, said container having a removeable wall at oneend which engages a slot in the wall of said casing to lock said container Within the casing, anda removeable closure for covering the elongated opening in said container.

3. A dentifrice-dispensing device comprising a container for dentifrice and having an elongated opening at one face thereof, a moveable plate within said container, said plate closing said opening and containing a plurality of holes for lthe passage of dentifrice therethrough, a casing having an opening for the insertion of said con- Vtainer into said casing, means for dividing said casing into three chambers including a central chamber for receiving said dentifrice container, a second chamber communicable with said central chamber through an opening and in which a tooth brush may be inserted for passage over said perforated plate for applying dentifrice to the tooth brush, and a third chamber for storing a toothbrush, each of said chambers being accessible from outside of said casing through said opening in said casing.

4. A dentifrice-dispensing device comprising a container for dentifrice and having an elongated opening at one face thereof, a moveable plate within said container, said plate closing said opening and containing a plurality of holes for the passage of dentifrice therethrough, a casing having an opening for the insertion of said container into said casing, means for dividing said casing into three chambers including a central chamber for receiving said dentifrice container,

a second chamber communicable with said central chamber through an opening and in which a tooth brush may be inserted for passage over said perforated plate for applying dentifrice to the tooth brush, a third chamber for storing a tooth brush, each of said chambers having an opening through a Wall of said casing for gaining access to said chambers, and a removeable partition supported in said casing between said first and second chambers and in contacting relation with ythe open face of said container for preventing the evaporation of the dentifrice contained within said container.

5. A dentifrice-dispensing device comprising a casing, a container for dentifrice, means separating said casing into three chambers including an intermediate chamber for receiving said dentifrice container, said chambers having open ends adapted to be covered by a cover, said container having a perforated wall through which dentifrice within the container is exuded, a removeable partition for separating said intermediate chamber from an adjacent chamber which, upon removal from the casing, provides access to the perforated Wall of said container from that adjacent chamber, and a cover for said casing whereby the open ends of each of said chambers are covered.

6. A dentifrice-dispensing device comprising a container for containing dentifrice, said container having opposite parallel Walls, a bottom wall, an end wall, an open end, and an open face opposite said bottom wall, a perforated plate closing said open face and adapted to be guided for movement within said container in a direction parallel to said parallel walls and towards and away from said open face, said plate having holes therein for permitting the passage of dentifrice therethrough, and a removeable gate for closing said open end of said container.

7. A dentifrice-dispensing device'comprising a container for containing dentifrice, said container having opposite parallel Walls, a bottom wall, an end Wall, an open end, and an open face, a perforated plate closing said open face and adapted to be guided for movement within said container in a direction parallel to said parallel walls and towards and away from said open face, said plate having holes therein .for permitting the passage of dentifrice therethrough, and a removeable gate for closing said open end of said container, said container having an opening in a wall thereof for enabling the introduction of a paste 4dentifrice to said container.

8. A dentifrice-dispensing device comprising a rectangular box for containing dentifrice, said box having substantially parallel side Walls, a bottom wall, an end wall, a removeable wall for closing an open end of said box, and an open face bordered by flanges extending inwardly from said parallel walls, a moveable upper wall in the form of a plate for closing said open face, said plate being adapted to be guided by opposite side walls of the container for movement parallel to the plane of its surface and towards and away from said flanges, said plate having a plurality of holes therein for exuding dentifrice from the box when pressure is applied to said plate.

9. A dental aid comprising a casing with a removeable cover, a dentifrice-dispensing device, said device including a box containing a dental paste and having a perforated wall for exuding paste therethrough, a closure for said perforated wall, a chamber in the casing for containing said dentifrice-dispensing device and said closure, a second chamber in said casing, said second chamber having an opening communicating with said first chamber for gaining access to said perforated wall of said box, and a third chamber for receiving a tooth brush, each of said chambers having an opening normally covered by said cover.

JAMES FRANCIS WATERS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 345,517 Lakin July 13, 1886 396,898 Smith Jan. 29, 1889 493,528 Spalding Mar. 14, 1893 853,549 Hill May 14, 1907 1,065,823 Matthews June 24, 1913 1,453,332 Askin May 1, 1923 1,470,129 Tichenor Oct. 9, 1923 1,644,049 Young Oct. 4, 1927 2,358,953 Valentine Sept. 26, 1944 2,438,641 Loehr Mar. 30, 1948 2,505,547 Howard Apr. 25, 1950 

